Christopher Bell rises to the top of the NASCAR Power Rankings heading into the Round of 12

[{"selector":"#anim-c9462cd5-a472-4c16-90e6-d42af0f9a530 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.257324105020174%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

It's probable that few of the forecasters gave Christopher Bell much of a chance to advance far in the playoffs when they filled out their NASCAR playoff brackets.

[{"selector":"#anim-5aa3ac2d-5427-40c2-a4d4-b63237e81134 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.63085926353677%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

If they didn't, though, they were being very naive. Bell has plenty of experience with NASCAR's playoff system because he qualified for the Championship 4 in each

[{"selector":"#anim-355871ef-ed4a-412b-bff6-6fc412133c5e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

of his full-time Trucks and Xfinity seasons, including the 2017 season in which he won the Truck Series. He has achieved career highs in top fives (10) and top 10s (17),

[{"selector":"#anim-1c0eb6c7-edca-4b08-9871-d74348fba3db [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(32.11425770397001%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

in addition to a win at New Hampshire and three pole positions, making this season the greatest of his Cup career. These statistics were greatly enhanced by Bell's strong

[{"selector":"#anim-14ce243a-bccc-4fa4-b3a6-00f8a42d3a64 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(35.278320223169416%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

performance in the Round of 16. Christopher Bell now occupies the top spot in the CBS Sports NASCAR Power Rankings after finishing fifth, third, and fourth

[{"selector":"#anim-e7a3bf86-e593-4a03-a306-41cafae8eecb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

in the Round of 16 and moving on to the Round of 12. Bell just needed to move up one point to take over the top spot in the Power

[{"selector":"#anim-bb5f7e57-2e3e-4a0a-9492-7abfdba623f7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(36.025390540202615%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Rankings, but after a wild, attrition-filled race at Bristol, there was a lot of movement both up and down. Four drivers moved up by

[{"selector":"#anim-bd3f6645-0cfd-4ec2-99f9-bbac3a66f032 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.257324105020174%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

seven slots or more, with Bristol winner Chris Buescher (+10) moving up the most among all drivers. Martin Truex Jr. suffered the

[{"selector":"#anim-27fb2053-79b3-4061-b6e7-52fc34805575 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.63085926353677%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

largest loss of all, falling from 10th in the Power Rankings all the way down to 21st following another mechanical issue. Five drivers lost seven positions or more.

[{"selector":"#anim-7bed1f72-04f0-4559-9fbb-90f2d886ec18 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]